Exodus from Jaffna

Letters from JAJ Philips (Chinna Rasa Mama), a paternal cousin of my mother who taught English in the Catholic Boys' School in Jaffna.

 

"We are refugees from Jaffna. Mabel Aunty and I are staying with my brother Gunam. Krisha, Katpagam and her two sons Kevin and Kenneth are with Katpagam's aunt at Wellawatte. We came here on the 15th of May. we left Jaffna on the 17th of November when the Security Forces took Jaffna. I am sure you must be knowing the North and East of our country are war zones. When the army advanced towards Jaffna, the LTTE demanded we evacuate the town. On October 30th, a vast exodus of about four lakhs left the town and went to Vadamarachchi and Thenmarachchi-more than fifteen miles away. This was a tragic scene with thousands "trekking" in heavy rain and under constant shellfire in search of refuge. There were instances of people abandoning their sick/old parents and relatives and fleeing the town. Christian Missionaries and other charitable organizations took these destitutes and for a few days succoured to them. Later they too had to be removed from the town.

 

We first decided to stick to Jaffna whatever happened. we had to leave our home and take refuge at Chundekully Girls' School. We were there till November 17. But as days passed we found it impossible to stay in Jaffna. The streets were intimidatory in their emptiness. The town was a ghost-town.The hospital closed and doctors left.All shops put up shutters.We were just a handful who remained and every day the sound of gunfire was coming closer. My two grandsons are small(five and three years). They were frightened of the shelling and we knew they would get no medical care if injured. We too decided to move out of our dear town. We came to Chevakaccherie 18 miles away. Even the transport had to be provided by the LTTE. By the time we came to this small town it was already congested. Somehow we were able to get a small room and three families stayed there. In that small house there were 37 inmates! There was no privacy at all. But we were much luckier. people who were in comfortable houses in Jaffna were living on roadsides or in improvised shelters exposed to the ravages of an inclement monsoon! We were almost destitutes, having abandoned our house and belongings, except for two small bags in our case. I came to Chavakacheri on the pillion of my son-in-law's scooter and for the first time in my life I had a blackout. I was very sick in Chavakachcherie, It was a nightmarish experience because of the crowds, unhygienic conditions etc and we stayed there for three weeks. The LTTE was now exhorting us to leave Chavai and move to the mainland out of the peninsula because the secur ity forces were threatening to advance into Thenmaradchchi. On Dec. 10th we left the peninsula and crossed into the mainland. We made an eight hour journry by boat and for some time in a heavy shower of rain. This was another tedious experience. Then we came to Navajeevanam in Paranthan. Navajeevanam is a charitable in stitution founded by a protestant missionnary- a relation of Katpagam. I was really edified by the dedicated labour of the management there. The big gates of Na vajeevanam are never closed. No refugee is turned out. Everyone who comes is assured of a meal and a bed for the night. There are homes for orphans, for the ret arded and deformed, a child care centre, hostels for girls and another for boys and a home for the elders. It was community living and meals were taken in a big hall. No fees are charged but we made monthly donations. There were refugees who made no payment. I felt really mortified because the Catholic Church though richer does not offer such sacrifice. Really Navajeevanam is a bright star in that firmament of cruelty and wretchedness. At my age I had suffered much but through Navajeevanam I have been taught that all hope is not all lost for mankind as long as precious institutes like Navajeevanam exist. When conditions return to no rmal and if I am still alive, I must take you once to this remarkable place and show you the excellent work that is being done there. Three of the fellowship who run this happy place are over eighty years old and still they work relentlessly.

 

We didn't want to strain their hospitality by staying indefinitely. We knew that our being there was imposing limitations on their exemplary work. Also the Government had marched its forces into Thenmarachchi and Vadmarachchi and Kilinochchi and Paranthan would be next target. The LTTE too discovered their blunder in ordering the people to evacuate Jaffna without making adequate provision for housing the refugees, they relaxed their restrictions on passes and we were able to get a clearance to pass the LTTE territory and come to army occupied zone.

 

This again was another horrible escapade. We had to creep under barbed wires, we were herded into lorries(including my grandsons) and remain in two camps with w ater shortage, poor food and only a mat to sleep on at night. At last we came to Colombo on the 15th of May, having left Navajeevanam a happy place on 11th May. My wife and I plan to go to Damayanthi, my younger daughter in Canada. She insists we come there. Krisha and Katpagam don't want to return to Jaffna: because although Jaffna is a "Liberated" area it is still not a safe place. I do not know what has happened to our house- our home for 36 years. I am writing this to tel l you how inhuman man has become and also tell you what a comfort plces like Navajeevanam are. An oasis of love in a harsh world.

 

Yours lovingly,

 

Rasa Mama. 3.6.96

 

 

(To) Dr. Prabir Chatterjee   EJFM Hospital, Jidato Mission, Pakur 816107, INDIA

 

My dear Prabir,

 

Thank you very much for circulating my "Exodus" letter.We have taken print-outs and sent them to others. The situation in my country is worsening. Power corrupts Our benefactors at Navajeevanam are now refugees themselves and Navajeevanam is now in shambles The place was destroyed when the Security Forces took over Paranthan. One of the custodians Ariyam Uncle is dead. He was a man I admire very much. His daughter is virtually in charge of the organization. It is a mystery to me why God permits the destruction of Goodness.

 

My love to you all

 

Rasa Mama 13-3 -2004